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An Interview with Concord |
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In the second half of 2001, I spoke to Aggi at Guitar World and told him that I was now ready to start working at the bass compilation album idea I had conceived a year previously. I needed to start contacting other bassists but knew not a single player. Aggi gave me eight names to get me started and the first person I made contact with was a very enthusiastic Concord. As the months have gone by we’ve both realised that we can just about trust each other with our lives and although we operate in different areas of the musical / creativity spectrums, we’ve got a mutual respect of each others abilities and together make a great team even though we actually meet only about once a month. I put some questions to my bass playing buddy and this is what he had to say. How long have you been playing Concs? I started by playing the acoustic guitar in 1980. I started learning on my own by watching a friend who used to come and play my dad’s guitar at our home. He would then leave, and I would pick the guitar up and try and play what he was playing. My brother was also learning guitar and at some point he converted one of our guitars to a four-stringed one. The idea of playing single notes, yet making an effective impact on the sound and colour, fascinated me a lot. That was the beginning of the bass journey. So I started playing bass in 1985. I started by playing in church. Now, playing in the black church in Soweto was the best musical education I have and will ever have. Whether you are aware of it or not, your ear gets developed and very fast. This happened because, anyone during the service can start a song, in any key and in any tempo. You have to be spontaneous and sharp. Often, the key went higher as the song progressed. I still play in the church from time to time and it still is a fulfilling experience. No gig compares to playing in that kind of setting. After a while I started interacting with other musicians “outside” the church and a whole new world suddenly emerged. The rest, as they say, is history. What’s your favourite band / solo artist? I do not have a particular band/musician that is a favourite. I like different musicians/bands for different things. I must say though, that I am more into singers and horn players than I am into bass players. The sense of melody fascinates me more. I have been referred to as a melodic player. If that is true, then it is because of my passion and respect for melody. At the moment I am listening to Richard Bona – “Reverence”, Frank McComb – “Love stories”, Bebe Winans – “Live and up close”, Eva Cassidy – “Songbird” and a few others, Norah Jones – “Come away with me”. What instrument/s are you using and why? The issue of choosing an instrument is an important one and it takes years. At least for me it did. I have tried a number of basses through many different amps, playing a vast range of styles. I am not one to be technical about how many types of wood were used, the different pick-up configurations, the length of the neck. For me the questions are, “Is it sounding good?” “Does it feel good when I’m holding it?” and of course, “Are we grooving?” After many years of experimenting with basses, Lakland Basses were like a revelation to me. Thanks to Andy McGibbon at his Guitar World. Basically, the Lakland answered all the questions raised above. The distribution of sound and consistency of tone all over the bass was amazing. It was light weighted yet heavy on sound. More striking was the wide range of tone. This means you will hear 5 guys/girls playing Laklands and they will each have their own individual sounds. That to me is crucial in a bass. I have been blessed to have been in touch with Dan Lakin in Chicago, who is Mr Lakland. A very warm gentleman. If you visit their web-site www.lakland.com you will realise how big they are one service and making the bassist happy. Isn’t that what we all want? Needless to say, I am sold out on Lakland Basses. I hope to get a chance to test drive their other basses. By the way, if you thought these basses were way too out of your financial league, then visit the web-site and check their ‘Skyline’ series or visit Andy McGibbon’s Guitar World, Randburg, South Africa. What are the amps you’re currently using? I should open this paragraph as the one before. The same principle applies. You have to test it and listen to whether or not it sounds good. If it sounds great for Marcus Miller, it does not mean it will sound the same for you. The search for your own sound and voice continues for a long time. To answer your question, I use SWR amps. As one that plays from Jazz to Rock, from Afro-pop to Britney-pop, it is important to find a flexible amp. An amp that can be pushed to the limit yet remain warm. An amp that exposes the true sound of my bass and still have great looks, if image matters to you. In the studio I use the SWR amp head and go directly to the desk. Clean, phat and warm. You’ve been working with Johnny Clegg for as long as I’ve known you. You obviously enjoy the gig. Can you tell us a little about it. Have we known each other for that short a time? I only joined Johnny Clegg in July of 2001, after the passing away of Solly Ledwaba. What a bass player! I enjoy the gig a lot. Because of its strong concept, it is more than just a gig. It is as relevant today as it was when Johnny started. Any concept that challenges stereo-types, that’s where you will find me. There is a lot of fun in the actual music, but it also carries the power to change the lives of those who get to experience it. The musicians are great to play with - no hang-ups. I love playing whilst singing and dancing too. It is actually funny how life works out. A number of years ago, I was a kid, fascinated by Johnny and Sipho as Juluka. Now I am working with them. Lesson learned : Never ignore that which is around you. What have you been doing for the last five years or so other than the Johnny Clegg gig? Most importantly, I have been recording my solo project. It has been an amazing and a learning process. It has taken this long because I am doing it independently. Thank God it is almost done. Other than that, I have been working with different musicians on recordings and live gigs: Ernie Smith, Gloria Bosman, Paul Hanmer, etc. I also conduct workshops from time to time on areas such as: “Song writing and arranging”, “Ensemble playing”, “Rehearsal techniques”, etc. I have also been learning to speak Spanish. Now I am waiting to meet that Spanish babe. What recordings that you’ve played on would you recommend for listening? Gloria Bosman (S.A.) – “Stop and think” – Sheer Sound Records Colin “Black” Vearncombe (U.K.) – “Live at the Bassline” – Nero Schwarz Limited Soweto String Quartet (S.A.) – a new one due for release in March 2003 - BMG. Ernie Smith (S.A.) – “Child of the light” – Sheer Sound Joyous Celebration (S.A.) – “Joyous Celebration 5” – Sony Music Entertainment What’s been the low point in your career so far? I don’t think I have had any. All points have a positive out come, if you are patient enough to wait and see. And what has been the high point? Apart from creating music, I love travelling, so the tours I have done with Johnny Clegg have given me a high that’s a little higher. However, I think the highest points of my career are yet to come. Lord willingly. What are your goals currently? To finish the album and share it with the world. Also, to continue playing and touring with other bands and with mine. I plan to write more than I am doing now. Production is drawing my heart day by day, so I will pursue that side of things too. To get more involved with development programmes. We need to give back. If some one had not given unselfishly, we would not have come thus far. I am happy to be part of the South African Bass Players Collective. This is a project I would love to see grow and serve bass players and the music industry as a whole. We all need to stand up and take our place. To whom much has been given, much is required. What we are doing is much bigger than music, much deeper than the notes we play. We all have a greater calling in this life. If we do nothing about it and do not use the influence we have been blessed with, one thing will lead to another and we’ll end up with a baseless society. Hence, the people who want to start wars for selfish and lame reasons. “Let peace be written on the wind” – Concord Nkabinde |
